Recommended LAN interface settings for VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN Edge Models

Products

• VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN

Issue/Introduction

VMware SD-WAN Edge models may have reduced throughput if the LAN-side port is configured as Layer 2 (switched) vs. Layer 3 (routed) due to routed ports having access to DPDK network interface optimizations. On low end models(510 and 610), routed port can significantly reduce system CPU usage and aviod TX unit hang issue, high CPU usage issue is usually observed in 510 and 610 model.

Environment

VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN

Resolution

On VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN models, configuring a LAN-side port as switched can result in a lower maximum throughput. The lower throughput is the result of DPDK network interface optimizations being unavailable on a switched port versus a routed port.  It is recommended that a default routed port is not configured as a switched port for this reason. It is also recommended to configure the default switched ports to routed ports when maximum throughput is needed.

The configuration change can be done at the Edge or Profile level.

This is done by going to Configure > Profile/Edge, select the Device tab and scroll down to Interface Settings.  Once there, select Edit for the Interface to be changed and then modify "Capability" as needed. Additionally, following changes are needed before clicking on the Update GE# to confirm the change.

• Uncheck WAN Overlay, as the port will be used for LAN communication.
• Check 'Advertise' to ensure that the subnet is distributed.
• Uncheck NAT Direct traffic.

If a static route is configured to use this interface, please configure the Interface setting under Configure > Device > Static Route Settings.


If the Edge has overridden the Profile interface configuration, please make all changes at the Edge level.

Once the configuration changes are complete and have been applied, the final step is to reboot the Edge in a prearranged maintenance window. The reboot is required to enable DPDK optimizations for the routed port.  Until the Edge is rebooted the customer would observe no change in maximum throughput performance for that port.